After the long and in parts cold winter, it's time to crawl out
from under the duvet and make the most of the sunny days that
spring will hopefully bring us. The vines feel the same way!

The vines have been in hibernation mode between December and
March. During this time the sap has descended down into the root
system of the plants, enabling the winemakers to prune the vines.
Pruning limits the growth of the plant and limits the quantity of
grapes produced, whilst improving their quality.

Towards the end of the pruning season, from around mid-March, you
can notice the vines starting to "cry". But not to worry, it's a
normal occurrence!

The vine's tears appear when the sap climbs up again from the
roots and starts to flow from the exposed wood on the branches
that have been cut during pruning. This is the first sign of life
starting again for the new season.

The brighter days and longer hours of sunshine, couple with
warmer temperatures cause the vine buds to swell. The tiny buds
have been protected during the colder winter months by a layer of
husk. The husk splits open as the temperatures rise and head
north of 10°C, to give the buds room to develop. The buds
generally start to grow around the end of March and beginning of
April.

A small green point and new branches begin to appear from each
bud, and you have to be careful of spring frosts during this
precarious stage in the vine's developments.

If you would like to learn more about this and other steps in the
vine cycle, why not join us for a Discovery
Experience Day at one of our organic partner
vineyards, where you will learn more about the work in the
vineyard to cultivate the vines.